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111 J.L. Pol'y & Globalization 1 (2021)

handle is hein.journals/jawpglob111 and id is 1 raw text is: ISSN 2224-3240 (Paper) ISSN 2224-3259 (Online) Vol.111, 2021 IISTE Pandemics And Global Security Challenges: Covid-19 As A Threat to Human Security and Peace *Maame Peterson' Alhassan Tahiru 2 1.University of Manitoba, Canada- Dept. of Peace and Conflict Studies 2.Social Sciences University of Ankara, Turkey-Dept. of International Relations Email of the corresponding author: Peterl 19@myumanitoba.ca Abstract This policy paper explores the political and socioeconomic dynamics and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on global peace and security. It employs a human security approach to analyze the threats to global peace and human rights caused by socioeconomic disparities and sexual violence which have been worsened by the pandemic. It concludes with recommendations to stakeholders on how to promote peace and security during global health crises. Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic, human rights, human security, health, sexual violence, development DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/111-01 Publication date:July 31st 2021 1. Introduction In the Cold war era security issues primarily focused on militarization, however, the 21st century ideology of security is more complex due to increased globalization (WHO, 2002, p.3). Security issues in contemporary times includes issues of economic disparities, public health concerns such as the emergence and re -emergence of communicable and infectious diseases (WHO,2002, p.3). Climate change (and its attendant challenges) is also now considered as a threat to global peace and security. Consequently, these global challenges have led policymakers, states, and security experts to shift away from focusing solely on military issues to the concept of human security. 2. Human Security in Contemporary Times The human security approach acknowledges that security is a common good to be shared by all (Thomas, 2001, p .159). The United Nations Security Council has acknowledged social and economic inequality, poverty and health disparities as major threats to security because it may result in violence and civil strife. Economic disparities in contemporary times have increased human security threats (Thomas, 1999 p.225). In an address to the United Nations Security Council in 2000, the World Bank president noted that security issues are not just about military and borders but rather about poverty and human survival (Thomas, 2001 p.162). The World Bank acknowledges the importance of well-being for the development every nation. Human needs and the responsibility of states to protect the rights of persons are the main tenets on which human security is based. When people have unmet socio -economic needs, it becomes a motivation for civil strife and conflicts (Burton, 1990 p.36). 3. Health Rights and Social Justice The right to quality health care is a basic human right enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It states that health rights are inalienable and therefore must not be constrained by a person's race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. Good health is a necessary condition for a person to enjoy every other human right (WHO, 2008). It is therefore part of human responsibility to safeguard our health and those of others. Therefore, health inequality is a violation of a person's basic human right. Health care disparity is not only an issue of socioeconomic inequality but also an issue of racial and ethnic differences particularly in deeply racialized environments such as the United States of America (Braveman et. al., 2011, p.149). Racialization of the access to quality health care is a trigger for civil conflicts and riots; this is because the absence of equitable access to health care is a threat to the human security of the people. A threat to one's security is considered as an underlying factor for many violent conflicts. The unequal distribution of resources and group relative deprivation also serves as a trigger for conflict (Paffenholz, 2010. pp.272-285; Meuleman et. al, 2020 pp.593-611.). Equally important is the concept of social justice which relates to the benefits and burdens of social and economic resources -it explains who benefits from and who is affected by the unequal distribution of social and economic resources as well as natural resources (Rawls, 1971 cited in UN Division for Social Policy, 2006, p.13). Socioeconomic inequalities are inevitable in the society however, it can be minimized. When a person or group suffer multiple forms of discrimination and socioeconomic exclusion, it has implications for their well-being and health status. For example, people who experience racism, gender discrimination and other forms of oppression, 1 Journal of Law, Policy and Globalization www.iisecs_

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